Parents, Poverty and the State

Parents, Poverty and the State

Naomi Eisenstadt and Carey Oppenheim explore the radical changes in public attitudes and public policy concerning parents and parenting. Drawing on research and their extensive experience of working at senior levels of government, the authors challenge expectations about what parenting policy on its own can deliver.

They argue convincingly that a more joined-up approach is needed to improve outcomes for children: both reducing child poverty and improving parental capacity by providing better support systems. This is vital reading for policymakers at central and local government level as well as those campaigning for the rights of children.

“Offers a deeply shaming view of the impact of austerity on child outcomes but also shows a path forward from where we are today. Policymakers must not turn their back on children in the UK; this book is a must-read for those who won’t.” Carys Roberts, Head of the Centre for Economic Justice at IPPR

“Provides a user-friendly review of how policy towards families with young children has developed over the last twenty years, explaining what we now understand, as well as what has been misunderstood.” John Hills, London School of Economics.

Naomi Eisenstadt is a research fellow at the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics. She was the first Director of Sure Start, ran the Social Exclusion Unit, and was advisor on poverty to the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon.

Carey Oppenheim is a research fellow at the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics. She was Chief Executive of the Early Intervention Foundation and special advisor to former Prime Minister, Tony Blair MP.

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